UNITED NATIONS, March 9 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security
Council is split on whether to authorize a no-fly zone over
Libya as Britain and France consider tougher options for
Tripoli, including setting up an escrow account for oil
revenues, envoys said on Wednesday.

Britain and France have been preparing a draft U.N.
resolution that would authorize a no-fly zone over Libya to
prevent airstrikes against civilians in the North African
country where rebels are seeking to oust long-time leader
Muammar Gaddafi.

The United States, however, has made clear to London and
Paris that the administration of President Barack Obama is in
the throes of a policy review and is not ready "to go full
steam ahead on a no-fly zone at the moment," a Western diplomat
said on condition of anonymity.

The British and French, however, are consulting with
Washington and other allies so that they are ready to submit a
draft resolution to the 15-nation Security Council immediately
in the event of an "egregrious act" against civilians by forces
loyal to Gaddafi.

"If they were to bomb a school and kill a dozen children,
the French and British are ready to move immediately with a
draft on the no-fly zone issue," another diplomat said.
Continued...